Editor's welcome

Hello, I would like to start this week’s note by thanking so many of you for getting in touch with us about last week’s article recalling the tragic death of Tom Dunphy, and the Miami Showband massacre. We always like to hear from our readers, and the 40th anniversaries bring back a lot of sad memories for us all. This week, we are going up the country to explore the Faughan Valley, a hidden gem on Derry’s doorstep. Bernie Mullen tells us more about this idyllic getaway. We also hear from Dave Gallagher whose brother is Michael Gallagher, the famous postman and amateur weatherman, who is retiring after 48 years in the postal service. Stan McCormack takes a look at the history of the Galway Plate, one of the top National Hunt races in the Irish summer calendar. Anthony Costelloe profiles two of the legendary tough-guys of the Hollywood big screen, Humphrey Bogart and Robert Mitchum, and examines some of their roles as priest or preacher. We have all this for you to enjoy alongside your weekly favourites. And I advise that you check out Marjorie’s page, where she is preparing some delicious lamb chops with garlic mayonnaise for the barbecue. Enjoy the read, and I’ll talk to you next week. God bless,

Also this week

Sing along with your favourite Irish songs –Hand Me Down My Bible. Made famous by Luke Kelly Oho glory-o, now I am the Lord’s disciple, Oho glory-o, now hand me down my bible, I like my liquor and my livin’ hard, May the Lord save my soul, My salvation was the turn of a card, My heart’s as black as coal, But everybody’s got the right to go wrong, Everybody’s got to sing my song, Everybody’s got the right to go wrong, Sing my song, sing my song, Oho glory-o, now I am the Lord’s disciple, Oho glory-o, now hand me down my bible For more see this week’s Ireland’s Own